Plans for a state-of-the-art Middlesbrough snow centre, which could create 350 jobs, have been given a £250,000 boost by Tees Valley Combined Authority.
The indoor snow and leisure centre will consist of two ski slopes with an ice wall, trampoline park, climbing walls, a play area for children, indoor skydiving centre and retail facilities.
Located on a site between Temenos and Middlesbrough College, Middlehaven, it is expected to create 350 jobs and attract 2.25million visitors per year. Support from the Combined Authority, which has also included almost £4million in funding for a bridge to unlock the site, reflects the important role that the centre will play within the Tees Valley’s plans to grow the tourism economy.
Cool Runnings (NE) Ltd, who lodged the plans, have chosen Ice Factor Group, based in Scotland, to operate the new facility.
Construction is expected to begin in autumn with the £30million snow centre open to the public from September 2019.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Cool Runnings came to us for extra financial support to get the project over the line, so I am pleased to sign off this funding today.
“This project will be massive for Boro. The snow centre gives us a real chance to enrich the leisure landscape of the area while boosting the local economy.
“It is a win-win for the area, will aid the regeneration of Middlehaven, create jobs, and will give people from across the North a reason to visit and spend money in Middlesbrough.”
Cool Runnings director Rachael Howson said: “We are delighted that the Combined Authority has awarded us this funding which is essential for our plans to go ahead.
“We are excited to now get moving with our plans to give Middlesbrough the world-class facility it deserves.”
Dave Budd, Tees Valley cabinet member for culture and Mayor of Middlesbrough said: “This must-visit centre will mean skiers in the region have the option to hit the slopes closer to home. Given the success of similar attractions, I have no doubt the centre will be booming.
“Thanks to its job creation and rejuvenation potential, the scheme will undoubtedly have a positive knock-on effect. The wider area will benefit as visitors from across the Tees Valley and further afield pour in.”
To pave the way for the work on the snow centre, the Combined Authority and Middlesbrough Council are working together to deliver a state-of-the-art road crossing to Middlehaven.
The £10million project, which secured almost £4million of funding from the Combined Authority, will unlock the site while easing congestion on the A66 trunk route. It is due to be completed in the summer.